Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the student whose video abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi went viral on social media. While the student's remarks triggered widespread outrage, Bhumi said that no woman deserves rape or death threats, irrespective of her views.
Bhumi condemns online threats
Sharing her views on social media, Bhumi said that disagreement is a part of democracy, but threatening someone with rape or death crosses every line. She stressed that violence and intimidation should never become a response to political opinions.
What is the controversy?
The debate began after a video of a student using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi surfaced online. The clip quickly went viral, drawing criticism from several quarters over the language used. Soon after, the student claimed she was receiving rape and death threats on social media, sparking another wave of debate.
Bhumi was trolled earlier too
Interestingly, Bhumi herself had recently faced trolling after she criticised the use of abusive language against the Prime Minister. She had maintained that people have every right to protest, but personal abuse and offensive language should have no place in public discourse.
Now, by supporting the student against online threats, Bhumi has clarified that opposing abusive language and opposing threats against women are two separate issues.
'Differences are okay, threats are not'
Bhumi reiterated that people can disagree politically, but hatred, intimidation and violence can never be normalised. She appealed to social media users to engage responsibly and ensure that no woman is subjected to rape threats or calls for violence.
Social media divided once again
Bhumi's statement has reignited debate online. While many praised her for taking a stand against online harassment, others argued that the student's abusive remarks should also be condemned with equal seriousness. The controversy continues to generate strong reactions across social media platforms.